Road Trips From Cincinnati

Road Trips From Cincinnati

Find unforgettable drives from Cincinnati. From quick day trips to long adventures, this page lists the most popular road trips starting in Cincinnati. Filter by duration, season, direction, and theme to find the perfect route.

40 Curated itineraries
3 Duration options
Updated November 26, 2025

Disclaimer: Details may change without notice. Please verify road conditions, entry requirements, and hours before traveling. RoadTrips is not liable for outdated or incorrect information.

Route map from Cincinnati to Louisville
Day Trip Easy

Louisville

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Churchill Downs & Louisville Slugger Museum & Urban Bourbon Trail

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Glencoe Louisville

Driving stats

161 km 1.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 85

Best months

April May September October November

Themes

City History Cultural Bourbon
Route map from Cincinnati to Columbus
Day Trip Easy

Columbus

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

OSU Campus & Short North Arts District & COSI Science Museum

Route

Cincinnati Columbus

Driving stats

173 km 1.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 82

Best months

April May June September October November

Themes

City Cultural Architecture
Route map from Cincinnati to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Day Trip Easy

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Brandywine Falls & Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad & Towpath Trail

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Driving stats

378 km 3.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 82

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

National Park Nature History Waterfalls
Route map from Cincinnati to Rim of the World Route (Route 78)
Day Trip Moderate

Rim of the World Route (Route 78)

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Burr Oak State Park & Stockport Mill & Ridgetop Views

Route

Cincinnati Rim of the World Route (Route 78)

Driving stats

2000 km 20 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 82

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Scenic Byway Motorcycle Route Nature State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Indianapolis
Day Trip Easy

Indianapolis

Indiana
View on map

Highlights

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum & Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Route

Cincinnati Blue Jay Indianapolis

Driving stats

181 km 1.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 80

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

City History Cultural Sports
Route map from Cincinnati to Hocking Hills Nipper Route
Day Trip Moderate

Hocking Hills Nipper Route

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Old Man's Cave & Ash Cave & Cox Covered Bridge

Route

Cincinnati Adelphi Hocking Hills

Driving stats

220 km 2.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 80

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Motorcycle Route Nature Waterfalls State Park Scenic Byway
Route map from Cincinnati to Lexington Horse Farms
Day Trip Easy

Lexington Horse Farms

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Horse Capital of the World & 450 Farms & Keeneland Race Course

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington

Driving stats

134 km 1.4 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 78

Best months

March April May June September October

Themes

Horses Cultural Scenic Byway
Route map from Cincinnati to Ohio's Tail of the Dragon (Route 78)
Day Trip Challenging

Ohio's Tail of the Dragon (Route 78)

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Burr Oak State Park & Wayne National Forest & Switchbacks

Route

Cincinnati Grove City Columbus OH-78

Driving stats

329 km 3.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 78

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Motorcycle Route Adventure Nature State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Yellow Springs
Day Trip Easy

Yellow Springs

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Glen Helen Nature Preserve & Quirky Downtown Shops & Antioch College

Route

Cincinnati Fairborn Yellow Springs

Driving stats

113 km 1.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 72

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Nature Cultural Hiking
Route map from Cincinnati to Black Diamond Run
Day Trip Moderate

Black Diamond Run

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway & Robinson's Cave & Mining Heritage

Route

Cincinnati Grove City Sewickley

Driving stats

500 km 4.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 72

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Motorcycle Route History Nature Adventure
Route map from Cincinnati to Madison
Day Trip Easy

Madison

Indiana
View on map

Highlights

Largest National Historic Landmark District & Lanier Mansion & Main Street

Route

Cincinnati Blue Jay Zionsville Homewood Des Plaines Madison

Driving stats

719 km 6.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 72

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

History Architecture Small Town Scenic Byway
Route map from Cincinnati to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Day Trip Easy

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Limestone Gorge & Little Miami River & Connecting Trails to John Bryan

Route

Cincinnati Fairborn Yellow Springs Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Driving stats

118 km 1.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 68

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Nature Hiking
Route map from Cincinnati to Granville
Day Trip Easy

Granville

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

New England-Style Village & Denison University & Buxton Inn

Route

Cincinnati Granville

Driving stats

500 km 5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 45

Best months

April May June July August September October

Themes

History Cultural Small Town
Route map from Cincinnati to Maysville
Day Trip Easy

Maysville

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

National Underground Railroad Museum & Floodwall Murals & Kentucky Gateway Museum

Route

Cincinnati Wilder Maysville

Driving stats

101 km 1.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 45

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

History Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Big Bone Lick State Park
Day Trip Easy

Big Bone Lick State Park

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Birthplace of American Paleontology & Ice Age Fossils & Living Bison Herd

Route

Cincinnati Big Bone Lick State Historic Site

Driving stats

41 km 0.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 40

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

History Nature State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Triple Nickel (Route 555)
Weekend Challenging

Triple Nickel (Route 555)

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Wayne National Forest & Ohio River Views & 751 Turns in 63 Miles

Route

Cincinnati Athens Chesterhill

Driving stats

290 km 3.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 95

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Motorcycle Route Scenic Byway Adventure Nature
Route map from Cincinnati to Hocking Hills Scenic Byway
Weekend Moderate

Hocking Hills Scenic Byway

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Old Man's Cave & Ash Cave & Cedar Falls Waterfalls

Route

Cincinnati Adelphi Hocking Hills

Driving stats

220 km 2.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 92

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Scenic Byway Nature Waterfalls State Park Motorcycle Route
Route map from Cincinnati to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Weekend Easy

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge

Tennessee
View on map

Highlights

Dollywood & Gatlinburg SkyLift & Gateway to Great Smokies

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington Knoxville Sevierville Gatlinburg

Driving stats

468 km 4.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 90

Best months

April May June September October November

Themes

Mountains Nature Adventure
Route map from Cincinnati to Bardstown Bourbon Trail
Weekend Easy

Bardstown Bourbon Trail

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Bourbon Capital of the World & 11+ Distilleries & My Old Kentucky Home

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Glencoe Louisville Bardstown

Driving stats

212 km 2.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 90

Best months

April May September October November

Themes

Bourbon History Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Hocking Hills State Park
Weekend Moderate

Hocking Hills State Park

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Old Man's Cave & Cedar Falls & Ash Cave Waterfalls

Route

Cincinnati Octa Hocking Hills State Park

Driving stats

212 km 2.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 90

Best months

March April May October November

Themes

Nature State Park Waterfalls Hiking
Route map from Cincinnati to Brown County State Park
Weekend Moderate

Brown County State Park

Indiana
View on map

Highlights

Little Smokies Fall Foliage & Nashville Artist Colony & Hesitation Point

Route

Cincinnati Blue Jay

Driving stats

175 km 1.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction W Score 88

Best months

April May October November

Themes

Nature State Park Fall Foliage Small Town
Route map from Cincinnati to Nashville
Weekend Easy

Nashville

Tennessee
View on map

Highlights

Grand Ole Opry & Broadway Honky Tonks & Country Music Hall of Fame

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Glencoe Louisville Nashville

Driving stats

440 km 4.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 85

Best months

April May September October

Themes

Music City Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Mammoth Cave National Park
Weekend Easy

Mammoth Cave National Park

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

World's Longest Cave (426+ miles) & UNESCO Site & 15+ Cave Tours

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Glencoe Louisville Cave City Mammoth Cave

Driving stats

308 km 3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SW Score 85

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

National Park Caves Nature History
Route map from Cincinnati to Asheville
Weekend Easy

Asheville

North Carolina
View on map

Highlights

Biltmore Estate & 50+ Craft Breweries & River Arts District

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington Knoxville Asheville

Driving stats

587 km 5.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 82

Best months

April May September October

Themes

Mountains City Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Cleveland
Weekend Easy

Cleveland

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Lake Erie Waterfront & Cleveland Museum of Art

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Brook Park Cleveland

Driving stats

402 km 3.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 78

Best months

May June July August September

Themes

City Music Sports Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Port Clinton
Weekend Moderate

Port Clinton

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Put-in-Bay Island & Perry's Victory Memorial & Cedar Point Nearby

Route

Cincinnati Fremont Port Clinton

Driving stats

359 km 3.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 75

Best months

May June July August September

Themes

Beaches History Nature
Route map from Cincinnati to Red River Gorge
Weekend Moderate

Red River Gorge

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Natural Bridge & 150+ Natural Arches & Rock Climbing & Nada Tunnel

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington Red River Gorge Geological Area

Driving stats

214 km 2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 75

Best months

March April May June September October November

Themes

Nature Adventure Scenic Byway State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Amish Country (Holmes County)
Weekend Easy

Amish Country (Holmes County)

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Amish Farms & Buggy Rides & Handmade Furniture & Amish Country Byway

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Gahanna New Albany

Driving stats

309 km 3.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 75

Best months

April May June July August September October

Themes

Cultural History
Route map from Cincinnati to Detroit
Weekend Easy

Detroit

Michigan
View on map

Highlights

Motown Museum & Henry Ford Museum & Detroit Institute of Arts

Route

Cincinnati Toledo Detroit

Driving stats

425 km 3.9 hrs

Trip profile

Direction N Score 72

Best months

May June July August September October

Themes

City History Music Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Mansfield/Shawshank Trail
Weekend Easy

Mansfield/Shawshank Trail

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Ohio State Reformatory & Shawshank Museum & 15-Site Film Trail

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Mansfield

Driving stats

279 km 2.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 72

Best months

April May June July August September October November

Themes

Film Location History
Route map from Cincinnati to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
3 4 Days Moderate

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee
View on map

Highlights

Cades Cove Loop & Clingmans Dome & Roaring Fork Motor Trail

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington Knoxville Maryville Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Driving stats

460 km 4.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 98

Best months

April May June September October November

Themes

National Park Mountains Nature Waterfalls Adventure
Route map from Cincinnati to Niagara Falls
3 4 Days Moderate

Niagara Falls

New York
View on map

Highlights

Maid of the Mist Boat Ride & Cave of the Winds & Horseshoe Falls

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Warrensville Heights Cheektowaga Niagara Falls

Driving stats

733 km 6.8 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 95

Best months

May June July August September October

Themes

Nature Waterfalls
Route map from Cincinnati to Kentucky Bourbon Trail
3 4 Days Moderate

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

60 Distilleries & Louisville Whiskey Row & Buffalo Trace & Maker's Mark

Route

Cincinnati Louisville Saint Matthews Jeffersontown

Driving stats

160 km 1.6 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 95

Best months

April May September October November

Themes

Bourbon History Cultural Scenic Byway
Route map from Cincinnati to Chicago
3 4 Days Easy

Chicago

Illinois
View on map

Highlights

Millennium Park & Art Institute & Architectural Boat Tours

Route

Cincinnati Blue Jay Zionsville Hammond Chicago

Driving stats

476 km 4.5 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NW Score 95

Best months

April May June July August September October

Themes

City Architecture Cultural Music
Route map from Cincinnati to Blue Ridge Parkway
3 4 Days Moderate

Blue Ridge Parkway

North Carolina
View on map

Highlights

Linn Cove Viaduct & Mabry Mill & Richland Balsam Views

Route

Cincinnati Southgate Charleston Fort Chiswell Hillsville Galax Blue Ridge Pkwy

Driving stats

601 km 6.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction SE Score 92

Best months

May June September October

Themes

Scenic Byway Mountains Nature
Route map from Cincinnati to Ohio's Windy 9 Routes
3 4 Days Moderate

Ohio's Windy 9 Routes

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

830 Miles of Riding & 9 Themed Routes & Athens Home Base

Route

Cincinnati Columbus Ohio

Driving stats

236 km 2.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 90

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Motorcycle Route Scenic Byway Nature Adventure State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Toronto
3 4 Days Moderate

Toronto

Canada
View on map

Highlights

CN Tower & Multicultural Neighborhoods & Royal Ontario Museum

Route

Cincinnati Detroit Oakville Toronto

Driving stats

792 km 7.7 hrs

Trip profile

Direction NE Score 88

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

City International Cultural
Route map from Cincinnati to Ohio River Scenic Byway
3 4 Days Easy

Ohio River Scenic Byway

Ohio
View on map

Highlights

Portsmouth Murals & Presidential Birthplaces & Underground Railroad Sites

Route

Cincinnati Louisville Ohio River Scenic Byway

Driving stats

336 km 3.3 hrs

Trip profile

Direction E Score 85

Best months

April May June September October

Themes

Scenic Byway Nature History
Route map from Cincinnati to Lake Cumberland
3 4 Days Easy

Lake Cumberland

Kentucky
View on map

Highlights

Houseboat Capital of the World & 1

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Lexington Mount Vernon Somerset Russell Springs Jamestown Lake Cumberland

Driving stats

323 km 3.2 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 80

Best months

May June July August September

Themes

Nature Adventure State Park
Route map from Cincinnati to Tennessee Whiskey Trail
3 4 Days Easy

Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Tennessee
View on map

Highlights

Jack Daniel's Distillery & George Dickel & Uncle Nearest

Route

Cincinnati Erlanger Glencoe Louisville Nashville

Driving stats

440 km 4.1 hrs

Trip profile

Direction S Score 75

Best months

March April May September October November

Themes

Whiskey Cultural